Some thoughts/feelings for this Independence day.

I spent several July 4ths fighting for the very Independence the day celebrates. I don't have the words to explain the emotions I feel deep in my gut when I see people disrespecting this great country or its flag. Anger is too tame a description for the hot fire of emotions I feel.

I have stood on the battlements at Fort McHenry. My eyes filled with tears because of the price paid by the men and women at that very spot for our freedom.

I also have walked the battle field at Gettysburg at dawn. The souls of the men that died there to keep the country united just called out to me.

I was able to stand on the beach at Normandy an look up at the cliffs the men had to climb to defeat Hitler. Many men paid another terrible installment on the price of freedom there.

I can not make myself go to Arlington Cementary. I have tried twice and I just can't go there.

We are going to DC this fall. I am going to try to go to the Vietnam Wall this time. I think I am going at night to be by myself there.

So how do you all feel deep down in your gut when you think or hear these words/songs??? I am not man enough not to have a few tears wet my eyes whenever I hear Taps played. How about you??? I feel my heart swell with pride when I hear the Star Spangled Banner sang. How do you feel when you hear it??




I am attaching a few links to some famous people's words/songs that high light a few things that make this nation what it is.


Red Skelton's pledge allegiance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM

Whitney Houston's The Star Spangled Banner

I think this is one of the best if not the best performance of the Star Spangled Banner in modern times. May her deamons be at rest now that she is in God's hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-R7SM_-M4&feature=related

"Taps" an American Tribute

The history of "Taps" written by John Mitchum and spoken by John Wayne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo3FbQjKEBs
John Wayne America, Why I Love Her

Thanks for your thoughts, JD, and your service.

My flag will be flying on the 4th.

Dean

I, too, spent six years of 4th's away from home. Some in hostile waters. And I also cringe at the lack of respect people show for the heritage that allows them to be fools and do so freely. My uncle rests at Normandy; my Dad and another uncle also landed there and survived to come home. The 4th of July is coming this week, and I, for one, will appreciate it as only a vet can. I'll sit back and look over the kingdom we stood up for and still feel proud it is still free.

I never served... Too tough to explain... But I respect and deeply appreciate those who did. Brother 2 tours in Nam. Combat Wounded, 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star, I think. Son In Law 2 tours in Afganistan. Father and Brother In Law, Lifers in the Air Force. so I think I understand. You don't hear it often enough. THANK YOU.......

When I see someone talking or wearing a hat during the National Anthem, I wanna knock em good over the head. Afterwards, of course.

I too look to go to THE WALL. Would like to do it with the Harley on day. I have never served other than as a fireman[ Have a real problem with authority] figured Levenworth would have been highly possible. My family has a long history with the service,I feel that they are my hero's. There is never any respect for the vets,fallen,pow's,injured anymore. I can't keep a dry eye on taps either. TO ALL THAT SERVED THANK YOU. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another"

I, too, tear up at the National Anthem, Star Spangled Banner and others. I can no longer sing the patriotic songs in the church hymnal--I get too choked up. Old Glory fluttering in the breeze stirs me. And one of the most solemn events I've ever attended was retiring a flag at Boy Scouts' Camp. There was not a peep as each stripe was cut and placed in the fire. I fear our freedoms are slipping away.

Larry

you are a good man, I did not serve myself,my dad was a marine in ww 2 , I thank you for your post and expressing your feelings

Thanks for posting sentiments for all who served. Was not in the service, but helped a lot of young men board airplanes to go to Nam, unloaded many as they returned in metal caskets. Father-in-law served in the Marines in the Pacific. Survived Pearl Harbor, fought his way through many of the invasions of the Pacific Islands before the surrender. Never talked about it much until shortly before he passed away in his late 70's. Brother and many friends in Nam. Made the trip to the Wall in 95. Thanks to all who have and are still fighting to keep this country free.

JD, I don't think anyone could have said what I feel any better than you just did. There just doesn't seem to be any respect for that grand old flag any more, and our top elected officials are some of the worst with their lack of respect. I do have to admit, being a vet is some better now than when we were in Viet Nam & got spit on when we returned to the states, that I'll never forget or forgive. Just my thoughts, Keith

While I have a few days off I also think about all the men that died in WW2 and Vietnam and all other wars to make America safe.
It also makes me sick to see what this country has become: A bunch of pansies, politicians that have sold out the US of A. My granddfather is spinning in his coffin in anger to see what the USA is now. My Grandfather died 16 years ago, WW2 vet, 30 years of service total, retired in 1964.

Im a viet Nam combat veteran and have tried twice to visit the traveling wall and turn around as i get to the entrance.Too hard!!

Im a viet Nam combat veteran and have tried twice to visit the traveling wall and turn around as i get to the entrance.Too hard!!

I'm another who did not serve in combat, but I like to think I would have served honorably had circumstances taken me there. I am a student of history, the wars in particular, but I have never been able to fully conceptualize the degree of sacrifice, misery and suffering the soldiers of this nation were willing to accept to serve their land. Marching miles through freezing rain and mud, or in blazing heat and dust; trying to keep from freezing in sub-zero snow, but unable to build a fire. Walking shoulder to shoulder straight toward a line of cannons waiting to mow you down with cannister and grape shot. Lying wounded for days waiting for rescue or death.

One thing that bothers me is that so few people have any knowledge or understanding of how much our forefathers sacrificed in that first war---the one that won this nation its independence. It also bothers me that so few people realize how much we owe to George Washington personally. That was a long, tough, against-all-odds war, and through his strength of character and perserverance he damn near singlehandedly kept our side going until victory and independence was won. Valley Forge was not just one isolated experience; the whole bloody mess was equally desperate. George Washington was truly the "father our our country", and we no longer consider him important enough to have a holiday in his name. Only one guy gets that distinction. George's day of just recognition haa been blended in with Abe's so now we have President's Day.

I Thank You for your service in Nam. The traveling wall has been close several times but I could not make myself go. I like remembering the men listed there as I knew them. I don't want "closer". They will live as long as I breathe, in my heart.

Thanks for the reminder JD.

I never had the privilege to serve. Being allergic to bee stings I could not pass the physical in the early 80"s. Probably had as much to do with not many hot conflicts and services were choosier, but tried to go that route at one time.

I echo the others when I thank all of you that have served for your dedication. JD, I cry at some of the same things you do, but you should try to get to Arlington some time. You already have an appreciation of the sacrifice, but I am pretty sure you would also like the tribute it is to our fallen heroes.

~Kirk

I went to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg while on a TDY to Germany it was sombering, about a year and a half later I went to the Wall in DC, (during a TDY for training at Indian Head NOS) it was overwhelming. Visited the traveling wall when it was here a few years ago, it didn't have the emotional impact the one in DC did, maybe because I had been off active duty for 18 years at that time. We has a people owe a lot to those who have served, we owe them to properly equip and train them before we send them and to assist them to readjust when they come home. I don't know that we met those obligations to those who served in Vietnam, maybe that's why some of them haven't readjusted well so I guess we owe them even more. Again if anyone has an opportunity get a copy of the movie "Taking Chance" it's about a field grade Marine officer that asks to escort the body of a young Marine back to his home town, it is based on a true story and you might be surprised about where he does and doesn't get support on the escort mission.

Excellent post JD.

I suggest you visit Arlington on your next trip, it's the most moving moment in my memory and I'm very glad to have made the visit. The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier just took my breath away, well worth the visit.

I never wait until the 4th or Memorial Day or Veterans Day to fly my flag, I fly it each and every day as I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN and I make sure anyone that passes by knows it.

I too am angered by the attitude of many Americans. I did not serve to protect our presidents, past, present or future, nor did I serve to protect out elected representatives. I served to protect the Constitution and the American people who I felt were worth serving. The lack of respect they show our country, it's colors and the National Anthem is despicable!

Rick (US Army, Armor, 1974-1996)

Thany you JD, for the post & your service. I served in the Navy during Vietnam & my father served in the Navy during WW II.
I went to the Wall and was going to trace a friends name. When I found his name the only thing I could do was stand there silent with tears streaming down my face. What the Wall stood for and the emotion it stirred up was very overwhelming.
Finally I said a silent prayer for my friend and all those who were named. Go see it, you will be glad you did in spite of the emotion it will bring.

If you get a chance do visit " THE WALL" I did a few years back. It means more if you knew some one that their name is on the wall. I knew more than one. Still remember. it well. I was a peace time VET "COLD WAR" 58 to 62 USAF.

JD you need to go to moving wall first. Go at 2 AM by yourself, so you can be yourself. It a matter of honor & respect to rub your finger over the names. You will feel better.
No, I am not a doctor, just an ole country boy.
You are my brother-BTDT in 68.
It takes a lot longer to recover from emotional trauma than wounds of the flesh.
I will get off my soap box!
Led

Amen to that... sometimes I think those men and
women died in vain because... if not for money we
are pawns by blood "Watergate" proved that.

I served my time 66-67 Viet Nam ..But also I believe
those on both sides were only fighting for what they
believed in. No one wanted to die... Is that so
wrong ??????

Thank you J D. clint

I was in Nam from 69-73. I was in a long range patrol unit most of the time I was there. I could have pointed out anytime after the first year but my unit was important to me. I thought that we where doing the right thing. I still think we should have stood our ground and not left. Really fought not the PC crap.

My unit was mostly 5-6 Americans teamed with various South Vietnamese military personal. During the time I was there we had 6 men killed in my unit. Not one of them was not brought home to their families. NO ONE was left behind!!!!

You have to remember that where we operated was not some place you could just called up and have a ride back to base in minutes. Many times it might take us almost a week to get to where we could be evacted out. So you where not only upset because you had lost a friend but you where bringing him out.

All six of those men's names are on the wall. Five of those men are buried at Arlington. So the Vietnam Wall and Arlington Cemetery are not just places to have a vacation visit to me.

When it comes to this kind of stuff, I usualy just avoid tuning in on it because it causes some downward feelings that takes alot of time to recover from. I used to get upset with the disrespect, but decided to take the higher road of forginess, because they did not have the opertunity to totaly understand the emotions that are conected. And I hope my kids and grandkids never understand it either.

I will never get up the guts to see the Nam wall, it is a wonderful thing for some, just not for me.

I used to just feel lucky, as I have no wheel chair, I'm not a drinker, smoker, or do I do drugs. All my body came home, and my health is OK for the most part. So now I have this bad feeling of guilt insteasd of feeling lucky.

I was upset when I was spit on, but now I feel the young gall knew more about why I was there than I did the whole tour of duty.

I can only hope our country has learned a lesson about blood shed.

A vey big knot in my underware takes me out of control when I hear the words hero, and sports in the same sentence....how low can they go?

I am not a war hero,and I feel somehow blessed that I am able to deeply understand our songs of respect for those who gave so much.

I often drive the VA van to the hospital a couple hours away, and get to see what the real backdraft of war is. It sure helps me get over feeling sorry for myself.

I know how you feel JD. I spent four years going around the world. Saw things in other countries that would make a real American sick. Our people don"t understand what freedom is.

In Spain under Franco the dictator.More than 12 people in a group. Not approved by him was a mob.Beaches were patrolled at night with machine guns. They didn"t ask questions. They just shot.
In the Philipenes under Marcos. If you went to another town. There were checkpoints about every twenty miles.

In nam as a 21 year old kid in 1972. I killed two VC during an attack. Both were younger than me.Made me sick then and I can still see the faces. Still have nightmares over it. Went to the VA no help. Lost some good friends while I was there.Still think of them when I am alone. So no one sees me crying. I am glad to see our military people getting better help now. Than we did then.

Tried to go to the wall when it came to Dallas. Walked up to it and then turned around and went home. Couldn"t look at it. Maybe someday. My father was on a fleet tug during WWII. Saw many battles and people killed. I understand now. What he ment when he told me when I got home. Your nightmares have just started.

All I can say is thanks to all who served. Health wise I could not even take ROTC at Purdue. The older I get the more discussed I feel at disrespect you who served get. I always take time to thank any in uniform. I never ask about them just Thank You Sir and leave them alone. Again to all vets including my son in Illinois I say Thank You.

JD Seller,

Thank you for paying a price for our freedom. Thank you ALL who have served our nation.

JD, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for the links - will show my husband the John Wayne link for sure.

Here is a link to a Sammy Kershaw song, "The Snow White Rows of Arlington". The photos posted in this video fit the song beautifully.
The Snow White Rows of Arlington Sammy Kershaw

I think we should have followed the advice of George Washington and avoided foreign entanglements.